Context:
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the procurement of 114 Rafale multirole fighter aircraft from France, along with several other defence modernization proposals. The move aims to address the Indian Air Force’s capability gap and strengthen India’s military preparedness amid evolving regional security challenges.
Key Highlights:
- Major Defence Procurement Decision
- The DAC approved the purchase of 114 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- Out of these, 90 aircraft will be manufactured in India.
- The project will include around 50% indigenous content, promoting defence indigenisation and domestic manufacturing.
- Addressing IAF Capability Gap
- The IAF currently operates 29 fighter squadrons, significantly below the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons.
- Additional Rafale aircraft will help bridge the operational gap and strengthen air superiority capabilities.
- Additional Defence Procurements
- DAC also approved the purchase of six Boeing P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft for the Indian Navy.
- The total estimated cost of the approved defence proposals is about ₹3.60 lakh crore.
- Procurement approvals also include:
- SCALP (Storm Shadow) long-range cruise missiles
- AirShip-Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (AS-HAPS) platforms
- Anti-tank mines (Vibhav) for the Indian Army
- Electro-Optical/Infra-Red systems for Dornier aircraft used by the Indian Coast Guard
- Overhaul of vehicle platforms for the Army
- Strategic Advantages of Additional Rafale Aircraft
- The IAF already operates 36 Rafale aircraft, while the Indian Navy plans to induct 26 Rafale-M variants.
- Expanding the Rafale fleet will:
- Reduce logistics and training costs
- Improve operational interoperability
- Strengthen combat readiness.
- Advanced Weapon Systems Integration
- The Rafale aircraft are integrated with SCALP missiles, which are long-range, air-launched cruise missiles with stealth capabilities.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)
- Highest decision-making body for defence procurement in India.
- Chaired by the Defence Minister.
- Responsible for approving capital acquisitions and modernization proposals.
- Acceptance of Necessity (AoN)
- First stage of the defence procurement process.
- Indicates official recognition of the need for a particular defence acquisition.
- Rafale Fighter Aircraft
- Twin-engine multirole fighter aircraft developed by Dassault Aviation (France).
- Capable of air superiority, ground attack, reconnaissance, and nuclear deterrence missions.
- SCALP Missile (Storm Shadow)
- Long-range air-launched cruise missile.
- Range of about 450 km.
- Designed for deep-strike precision attacks on high-value targets.
- Boeing P-8I Aircraft
- Maritime patrol aircraft based on Boeing 737 platform.
- Used for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
- Indigenous Content
- Percentage of components manufactured domestically in defence production.
- Key element of “Make in India” and defence indigenisation strategy.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Strategic Importance for India’s Defence Preparedness
- Strengthens air dominance and deterrence capabilities.
- Enhances India’s ability to respond to regional security threats, particularly along western and northern borders.
- Supports joint operations across air, land, and maritime domains.
- Contribution to Defence Industrial Development
- Local manufacturing of aircraft components promotes:
- Technology transfer
- Domestic defence ecosystem development
- Employment generation.
- Maritime Security Enhancement
- Additional P-8I aircraft improve maritime surveillance and anti-submarine capabilities, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
- Challenges and Concerns
- High financial cost of defence acquisitions.
- Dependence on foreign technology and suppliers.
- Need to balance modernisation with indigenisation goals.
- Way Forward
- Accelerate domestic fighter jet programs such as AMCA and Tejas Mk-2.
- Strengthen defence research and development ecosystem.
- Expand public-private partnerships in defence manufacturing.
- Improve long-term strategic planning for force modernization.
UPSC Relevance:
- GS Paper III – Internal Security: Military modernization, defence preparedness.
- GS Paper II – International Relations: India-France defence cooperation.
- Prelims: Defence institutions, weapons systems, and procurement processes.